Morphology

Physical Description

Katydids are medium-sized to large insects. They are usually green, sometimes with brown markings. They have a thick body, usually taller than it is wide, and long thing legs. The hind legs are longer than the front or middle legs, and are often used for jumping. On the head they have chewing mouthparts and long thin antennae that reach back at least to the abdomen of the insect. The adults of some katydid species can fly, and all katydids are camouflaged to blend with the leaves they feed on.

In all species the front wings have special structures that can be rubbed together to make sounds. They hear these sounds with flat patches on their legs that act as ears.

Females are usually larger than males, and have a long sharp structure at the end of the abdomen. This looks like a stinger, but it is actually an "ovipositor." They use if for sticking their eggs into the ground or into plant stems.